Show Notes
Saxophonist Sonny Rollins turns 95 this Sunday, and the Jazz Evensong Quintet honors this milestone by programming an afternoon of his compositions. Widely recognized as the greatest improviser of all time, his well of inspiration sometimes seems bottomless, and he refuses to fall back on licks and patterns on the rare occasion when he feels less than inspired. Sadly, health issues forced his retirement from performing for the past several years, but any one of the brilliant recordings he made over his long career would have easily secured his place as one of the all time greatest practitioners of our music.
Plus ... St. Michael’s Jazz Fest returns for a second year of incredible jazz in Carlsbad Village! Headlining is New Orleans’ own, the legendary Grammy Award-Winning Rebirth Brass Band, joined by Euphoria Brass Band, Gilbert Castellanos Latin Jazz Ensemble, Starsign, Chunky Hustle Brass Band, Sue Palmer Swing Orchestra, and more. Free to the public and held outside on the campus lawn of St. Michael’s by-the-Sea in Carlsbad. Learn more and consider volunteering or donating: https://www.stmichaelsjazzfest.org/ Saturday, September 27, 2025
More from Jazz Legends
Pianist and composer Andrew Hill (born June 30, 1931) never really received the widespread recognition and acceptance his talents warranted. Jazz critic John Fordham described Hill as a "uniquely gifted composer, pianist and educator" although "his status remained largely inside knowledge in the jazz world for most of his career."
Pianist, Composer/Arranger Billy Strayhorn (born Nov 29, 1915) is often more or less dismissed as Duke Ellington’s alter ego, but he was so much no more than that. He was a true musical genius in his own right. Jazz pianist Fred Hersch wrote of Strayhorn, "He was a quadruple threat: a great composer of jazz tunes, a first-rate jazz pianist, a remarkable songwriter (music and lyrics), and one of the all-time great arrangers for jazz orchestra." His compositions are uniquely Strayhorn, harmonically, melodically, and lyrically.
This week we feature the music of two of the most important bassists in jazz: Ron Carter (born May 4, 1937) and Oscar Pettiford (born Sept 30, 1922). Both musicians advanced the technical possibilities of their instrument in jazz and contributed to its acceptance as a solo voice in the music. While Ron Carter is often remembered as the bassist in the second great Miles Davis quintet, he is one of the most recorded bassists of all time, and continues to play, compose, and record prolifically in his eighties.
Guitarist John Scofield (born December 26, 1951) first rose to prominence as a member of Miles Davis’ band, but he had a number of good credits prior to the three and a half years he spent with Davis, including stints with Chet Baker, Hal Galper, Charles Mingus, Billy Cobham, and George Duke. His own groups have featured luminaries such as Steve Swallow, Adam Nussbaum, Bill Stewart, Joe Lovano, and Charlie Haden. He has been nominated for nine Grammy awards and won three. Help support the Jazz Legends podcast
Guitarist/composer Jim Hall (born December 4, 1940) is one of the most influential exponents of his instrument. His recordings with Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond, and many others, in addition to his recordings as a leader, have influenced whole generations of guitarists. His tasteful, spare style has been emulated but never duplicated. He recorded 39 studio albums and 10 live albums as a leader. Help sponsor St. Michael's Jazz Fest Donate to the Jazz Legends podcast Contact us at [email protected]